CBS Champions League: US Soccer Show History
- * TNT's Exit: TNT (Turner Sports) cancelled its Champions League contract in 2020 due to financial pressures from Covid-19.
- * Pete Radovich's Vision: Pete Radovich, coordinating producer for CBS Sports' Champions League coverage (and a 41-time Emmy winner), saw this as a career-defining chance.
- * Viral Growth: The show gained attention, went viral, and generated conversation.
Here’s a breakdown of the key data from the provided text:
1. How CBS Acquired Champions League Rights:
* TNT’s Exit: TNT (Turner Sports) cancelled its Champions League contract in 2020 due to financial pressures from Covid-19.
* CBS Steps In: CBS (owned by Paramount) was already slated to take over the rights from 2021/22 and was able to accelerate that plan to fill the void left by TNT.
* Initial Challenges: CBS initially broadcast from CBS Sports HQ in New York due to the short notice and lockdown restrictions.
2. The Creation of “champions League Today”:
* Pete Radovich’s Vision: Pete Radovich, coordinating producer for CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage (and a 41-time Emmy winner), saw this as a career-defining chance. He wanted to create a unique show.
* Paramount’s Goals: Paramount hoped the Champions League would be a “crown jewel” for its soccer portfolio, driving subscriptions to Paramount+ and attracting viewers/advertisers to CBS’s main network.
* Inspiration from TNT: Radovich drew inspiration from Inside the NBA on TNT Sports, a successful studio-based show.
* UK Base: Basing the show in the UK was significant for on-site broadcasts and attracting guests.
* Talent Choices: They retained Scott (from TNT’s coverage) and sought talent unfamiliar to American audiences (like Carragher, who was asked to tone down his accent during planning).
* Radovich’s Approach: He aimed for a show that respected the sport but was entertaining enough to attract non-soccer fans.
3. Success & Impact:
* Viral Growth: The show gained attention, went viral, and generated conversation.
* Increased Awareness: It led to greater awareness of the Champions League games themselves.
* Agenda Setting: The show is described as an “agenda setting program,” implying it influences the conversation around the Champions League.
Additional Notes:
* The text includes a Twitter post from CBS Sports Golazo featuring Micah Richards.
* There’s a placeholder for a YouTube video embedded in the text.
* Radovich’s personal connection to soccer (growing up as the son of Croatian immigrants) is highlighted.